Updated 8:55 a.m.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The African Union on Friday suspended Egypt from membership in the continental body after the military ouster of President Mohammed Morsi.
AU Commission head Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told a news conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, that the removal of Morsi on Wednesday falls under the AU doctrine on unconstitutional changes of government.
AU officials decided Friday to block Egypt from all activities of the continental body until constitutional order is restored in the nation, she said.
The decision was taken after deliberations by the AU’s peace and security council earlier Friday. The AU usually suspends the membership of countries where the military ousts an elected government. The AU earlier this year suspended the membership of Central African Republic after a coup there.
Egypt’s military announced plans to install a temporary civilian leadership after ousting Morsi, in power for one year, on Wednesday. Morsi has denounced his ouster as a “full coup” by the generals.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
